SFUSD Moving Forward with 105 Layoffs as Governor Brown’s Budget Includes Increase of $57.5 Million for the San Francisco Unified School District
Layoffs could lead to slashing of critical student services – counselors, social workers, nutritionists, family liaisons, & more
Late Tuesday, May 21st, the San Francisco Unified School District informed the UESF office that they were following through on 70 certificated, and 35 classified layoffs, despite over $107.5 million in reserves and additional revenue set to come to the school district next school year. The decision follows a speak out at the Board of Education on Tuesday, May 14th when dozens of teachers, parents, and community supporters loudly protested against the unnecessary layoff notices.
Teachers and school supporters are furious at the Board of Education for approving the final layoff notices, despite Governor Brown releasing his May Revise budget that would give a $57.5 million boost to San Francisco schools (A $1,046 increase in per pupil spending next year x 55,000 students in the SFUSD = $57.5 million) . The rosy budget scenario is on top of a district reserve fund that has ballooned to $50 million over the course of this school year, an amount that teachers say is indefensible considering the layoffs.
“By finalizing the layoffs, the SFUSD has put dozens of educator jobs on the line, and essential student services at risk,” says UESF President Dennis Kelly. “With the massive influx of resources to the district, these layoffs are not only unnecessary, they are unconscionable.”
According to an analysis of by the California Teachers Association, statewide only 1,300 certificated layoffs have been confirmed, the lowest level since the economic downturn. Unfortunately for San Francisco, the SFUSD stands as a significant outlier to this trend. Though the district comprises less than 1% of the student population in the state, it accounts for nearly 6% of total certificated layoffs.
While the Governor announced billions of dollars in extra funding for California schools last week, San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon announced that he has filed charges against six former SFUSD administrators for illegally diverting over $15 million dollars in public money into slush fund accounts held at private non-profit organizations, and for misappropriating approximately $250,000 for personal use. Continue reading
Due to overwhelming interest, tickets for the UESF baseball night have sold out. We are currently in the process of attempting to order more tickets. Should more tickets become available, we will let you know via UESF email blast and on the UESF website.
UESF substitute member Tay MacArthur has an inspiring story that many in San Francisco may not know about – along with five students in his 1981 Oakland Tech American government class, Tay helped spearhead the establishment of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday in California. Four year’s later the holiday was recognized across the country.